Organization

The 75th Ranger Regiment, composed of three Ranger battalions, is the premier light-infantry unit of the United States Army. Headquartered at Fort Benning, Georgia, the 75th Ranger Regiment's mission is to plan and conduct special missions in support of U.S. policy and objectives. The three Ranger battalions that comprise the 75th Ranger Regiment are geographically dispersed. Their locations are:

• 1st Battalion: 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia
• 2nd Battalion: 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Washington
• 3rd Battalion: 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia

In addition, the Ranger Training Brigade Headquarters, Ranger Training Brigade, is located at Fort Benning, Georgia. Its battalions are dispersed among the following training sites:

• 4th Ranger Training Battalion - Fort Benning, Georgia
• 5th Ranger Training Battalion - Dahlonega, Georgia
• 6th Ranger Training Battalion - Elgin Air Force Base, Florida

Capabilities

The Army maintains the Regiment at a high level of readiness. Each battalion can deploy anywhere in the world with 11 hours notice. Because of the importance the Army places on the 75th Ranger Regiment, it must possess a number of capabilities. These capabilities include:

• Infiltrating and exfiltrating by land, sea, and air
• Conducting direct action operations
• Conducting raids
• Recovery of personnel and special equipment
• Conducting conventional or special light-infantry operations

To maintain readiness, Rangers are constantly training. Their training encompasses arctic, jungle, desert, and mountain operations, as well as amphibious instruction. The training philosophy of the 75th Ranger Regiment dictates the unit's high state of readiness. The philosophy includes performance-oriented training emphasizing tough standards, and a focus on realism and live-fire exercises, while concentrating on the basics and safety. Training at night, during adverse weather, or on difficult terrain multiply the benefits of training events. Throughout training, Ranger's are taught to expect the unexpected.

The Men

All officers and enlisted soldiers in the Regiment are volunteers. Those volunteers selected for the 75th Ranger Regiment must meet tough physical, mental and moral criteria. All commissioned officers and combat-arms NCOs must be airborne and Ranger qualified and have demonstrated a proficiency in the duty position for which they are seeking.

Upon assignment to the Regiment, both officer and senior NCOs attend the Ranger Orientation Program (ROP) to integrate them into the Regiment. ROP familiarizes them with Regimental policies, standing operating procedures, the Commander's intent and Ranger standards. Enlisted soldiers assigned to the Regiment go through the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP). RIP assesses incoming Rangers on their physical qualifications and indoctrinates basic Regimental standards. Failure to pass ROP or RIP is justification to transfer soldiers from the Regiment.

Junior enlisted soldiers who are not Ranger qualified attend the U.S. Army Ranger Course. The chain of command sends the soldier to a pre-Ranger Program, which ensures that he is administratively, physically and mentally prepared for the course. Then he attends Ranger school. The result of this demanding selection and training process is a Ranger who can lead effectively against enormous mental and physical odds.

The Battalions

Each Ranger battalion has an authorized strength of 580 personnel assigned to three rifle companies and a headquarters company. The rifle companies consist of 152 Rangers each, while the headquarters' company has the remaining Rangers assigned. Ranger battalions are light infantry and have only a few vehicles and crew-served weapons systems. Standard weapon systems are listed below:

• 84mm Ranger Antitank Weapons system (RAWS): 16
• 60mm mortars: 6
• M240G Machine Guns: 27
• Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW): 54

Ranger History

Recommended Links

• Ranger Training Brigade Home Page
• The Ranger Creed
• 75th Ranger Regiment Association
• The Ranger Regiment Association
• United States Army Ranger Association (USARA)
• Merrill's Marauders Association
• Ranger Battalions of World War II
• The Combined U.S. Military Ranger Associations
• Back to U.S. Army Special Forces - "The Green Berets"

Gunnery Network - SOF